3DS Owners, how are you liking the system?

[Setharion]

I think the first major RPG for it will make me crack, the system looks damn good.

[GameDadGrant]

I like it so far, I've been getting down on a lot of SUPER Street Fighter IV, and doing the challenges in Pilotwings Resort. I also have Ridge Racer 3D sitting on the shelf, but I've played that for about thirty minutes total so far. It's alright... good arcade racer.

So yeah, 3DS is good. I have a feeling I'm not going to like it as much as I did the original DS. When the DS debuted in 2004, it showed me all-new games and all-new ways to play. Games that focused on the touch screen, games that spanned across both screens, games that simply couldn't be done with any other hardware on the market.

But the 3DS? Yeah, the graphics are better and there's an analog... uh, slider. But what does this mean? Basically it means that we're going to be getting a bunch of console-like games on the handheld. Which is cool, sure. But it also means we're not going to be getting any surprise, "where did this come from?" kind of games. Look at the launch line-up of the 3DS. Sure, there's some good games on there. But they are also fairly predictable. An arcade racer. A fighter. Monkey Ball. Pilotwings. Good stuff, but not mind-blowing.

Does anyone remember playing Feel The Magic on DS, or those mini-games in Super Mario 64 DS back in the day? That stuff was INCREDIBLE to me. I had never thought of games like those, nor thought that games like those could even be possible.

I doubt we're going to see that kind of stuff on the 3DS. It's basically gonna be console games in the palm of your hand. In 3D. Which again... is good. I'm cool with that. But it's not gonna be the same level of "freshness" or "surprise" as playing something like Kirby Canvas Curse, Meteos, Trauma Center, or Elite Beat Agents. Those "think-outside-the-box" games are a thing of the past, I fear. :-(

[CastlevaniaNut18]

I'm happy with it. The AR games are neat and SSF IV is my first genuine attempt at a fighting game and I'm liking it so far. Pilot Wings is neat, but I'm glad I only paid 15 for it with my Amazon credit.

Just waiting on new games to come out this summer.

[Phoenix S117]

I have one, and so far I'm completely happy with it.

I picked up SSFIV3D, Ridge Racer, and Nintendogs + cats. SSFIV is definitely my favorite. But all of them show off the 3D pretty well.

Mostly I've been using it to play Pokemon Black/White and Okamiden. I could use a regular DS for that, but I like having the 3DS so I can try to get Street Passes, and so I can use the built-in pedometer. The battery life isn't as bad as people make it seem.

I think it's cool but I also think most people would probably be okay to wait to get it until more good games come out. I have a lot of friends waiting for Zelda to be released before they get one.

[ManillaRoad]

I only have Ghost Recon and Ridge Racer at the moment. Both are impressing me. Ridge Racer more for just the 3d effect. I haven't been as into the AR games as a lot of journalists and other people I've read impressions from on the net, they just seem a bit clunky to me. If you don't have your play space set up properly it's a bit of a chore with the 3DS freaking out when you aren't at the right distance or whatever. I can't wait for the online store to open though, it's kinda ridiculous not having that at launch.

[Phoenix S117]

For the AR games, they should be played in an area where you can walk around your 3DS in all 360 degrees, because sometimes it wants you to attack from the back. I tried the dragon game from my desk and had trouble with that part. I still think Face Raiders is the best built in game.

Agreed on the online store. But I guess given what happened in Japan I can see why maybe they couldn't have it ready by launch. Unless NoA is in charge of that, in which case, I don't know why they didn't have it ready.

I'm really excited for the Ocarina of Time remake, though. Imagine how cool Phantom Ganon jumping out of the painting will be in 3D. ;D

[GameDadGrant]

I still need to try Face Raiders. It seems like it'd be great fun, but I haven't played it yet...!

[Phoenix S117]

When you get around to playing it, have the people you take pictures of for it make funny faces. That makes it even better. ;D

[CastlevaniaNut18]

My husband has his pics on that game right now. It kinda creeps me out....

[ALIEN gunner]

I had a 3DS for a week before returning it. My biggest gripe is the 3D effect, it caused dizziness and headaches so I will never use it again. Which is a shame since 3D is a major feature of the system. The game selection at launch just didn't justify the cost either and and DS game playback isn't as good as on a normal DS. DS games work but they look blurrier when blown up to full screen and too small in native resolution.

The casing of the 3DS also has a design flaw which can be pretty major over time. The frame around the bottom screen is raised up, even higher then the buttons are and the top screen flexes too much that it's easy to have the top screen make contact with the frame. If you have some grime on the frame and you close and handle the system, some of that grime will leave a trace on the top screen. Over time this has a big potential to scratch the top screen. Nintendo really should of made the bottom screen the same size as the top.

When there are more games and a new case design, I will consider purchasing it again. This year, though, I don't want one.

[Phoenix S117]

My hinge is a little loose, I've noticed. It's not enough for me to exchange it, though.

[Setharion]

Yea i wonder how long til the 2nd iteration of 3DS's hit, i think ill wait to see what they do. I got a feeling they are going to adjust some things on it, especiallly for how it plays DS games.

[Phoenix S117]

Honestly, I don't think the DS games look bad on the 3DS. They look brighter and more colorful, IMO. There seems to be a little bit of jaggies, but for the other upgrades I'll deal with that.

I still have a DSlite because it's the special edition Zelda one, but I don't use it anymore (unless I'm trading Pokemon to myself ;D)

[Setharion]

I'm torn on it, I have an XL and just love that puppy!

[GameDadGrant]

I'm wondering what the "3DS Lite" will end up looking like. I'm actually pretty happy with the current design, but everyone knows Nintendo is cooking up something even better for a couple years down the line.

Hopefully they get a better battery life on it, since the battery life pretty much sucks on the current model. Of course, that hasn't affected me yet, since I (so far) have only used the thing at home.

[ManillaRoad]

Battery life has been fine for me so far, but yeah I'm more of a handheld game on the couch sort of guy, I'm not playing on long flights or anything. I think a 3DS redesign still needs a bigger battery though and smoother lines as far as physical design goes. Other than those things, I really don't know what they would change.

[nigglesmckraken]

I'm enjoying mine. I have 3 games so far: Lego Star Wars, Ghost Recon Shadow Wars, and Super Street Fighter 4. The 3D is kinda throwaway for most of the game and you won't care, but it's got potential. Shadow Wars is probably the best game released with SSF4 following behind it.

[Setharion]

Apr 29, 2011 22:50:36 GMT -5 nigglesmckraken said:

I'm enjoying mine. I have 3 games so far: Lego Star Wars, Ghost Recon Shadow Wars, and Super Street Fighter 4. The 3D is kinda throwaway for most of the game and you won't care, but it's got potential. Shadow Wars is probably the best game released with SSF4 following behind it.

Yea, it seems that the 3D aspect just isnt going over so well. Hopefully in time they will really get it fine tuned but i havent really heard much good on the 3D aspect.

Although for me, when i get mine i was mainly getting it for just the games and newer engine. But i am curious to see how the 3D looks when done well.

[GameDadGrant]

3D is cool, but the thing is, it doesn't effect (affect?) gameplay at all. It's really just a "gee whiz, look at that!" kind of thing right now. Similar to what (IMHO) HD visuals are like. Cool to look at, but doesn't do anything to really enhance gameplay.

Maybe the new Mario game will show us what true 3D visuals are able to give us, gameplay-wise?

[CreepinDeth]

It's cool but it's more of a collector's piece for me. The main reason I have one is to play the new Resident Evil game that should be releasing later this year.

I've never been a big fan of touch screens, so I'm personally glad that it's more like the PSP/NGP than the previous DS iterations. The 3D, although works really well for the most part, is kind of gimmicky right now. Sometimes it makes playing difficult. On Pilotwings I have to tone down the 3D effect. 90% of the time I play with that feature off.

[mdsrocker]

Just got it yesterday, and I love it, it's like my personal, pocket-sized powerhouse. Been playing some Splinter Cell.
I literally haven't noticed the power issue once. The moment I turned it on I set the brightness down and turned power saver off, haven't noticed any problems that would make me want power saver off and it's plenty bright, and I can play for six hours and not drain the battery so much.

[Setharion]

Im so torn on what ill eventually do with the 3DS. I mean i know I want one, but i love...LOVE my XL these days and just not sure i want to ditch it. But i got a feeling that once i adapt to the 3DS i wont be using my XL anymore.

I got a feeling a 3DSXL is coming out soon, and that would be my ticket big time.

[Phoenix S117]

I finally picked up Ghost Recon for the 3DS and I am completely hooked. It's my new favorite launch game for the 3DS. I don't know why people say the graphics aren't good, either. Ghost Recon looks really awesome with the 3D. It gives a lot of detail to the terrain. I love building up the characters. And it's pretty deep, too. There are campaign missions, skirmishes, and even multiplayer. And to add to that, you can play them on three different levels of difficulty.

I only stopped playing because I had to charge it. ;D

[tgo]

I wish there was a isometric action shooter like Killzone liberation from psp. If they made a Ghost Recon game like that I would definitely be on board on this game if I owned a 3DS. Not too keen on strategy shooters.

[hainesdogg]

So far I have no complaints about the 3DS. I admit that I rarely use the 3D for gaming, so to me that still feels kind of gimmicky. I feel the launch library is solid but not amazing. I've found titles to keep me busy, but I'm starting to itch for some new 3DS titles. (Good thing Lego Pirates is coming tomorrow.)

As far as upgrading from a DS to a 3DS, well unless there is a game that you know is coming in the next couple of months, I'd wait. I'm an early adopter for almost an new game system, but I can honestly say that the lack of releases over the past month has been upsetting. I know Nintendo has some stellar games on tap for this system. I'd just like to see some firmed up release dates.